US calls for proof hostages in Colombia alive

Breitbart ^ | Nov 23, 2007 | AFP

[RDTF]

The United States on Friday urged Colombian rebels to provide proof their hostages were alive, but stopped short of backing Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez in his stymied efforts to mediate in the crisis.

"We continue to call on the FARC to present proof of life of all hostages," a US State Department spokesman told AFP when asked about Colombian President Alvaro Uribe's decision to end Chavez's mediation for a prisoner-swap deal with the leftist rebels.

"It's a sovereign decision taken by the government of Colombia. We respect their right to make that decision," he added.

Uribe said Wednesday that he considered Chavez's role as a mediator in the crisis was over because the Venezuelan leader had ignored his demand not to speak directly with Colombian generals about the hostages.

But on Thursday Chavez called on the leader of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), Manuel Marulanda, to provide proof that 45 prominent hostages are alive, adding any freed hostages would be welcome in Venezuela.

The US official, who asked not to be identified, expressed support for Uribe's efforts to secure the release of the hostages, but failed to echo a call by France for Chavez to continue as mediator

The State Department spokesman held FARC responsible for the well-being of all their captives and said "proof of life is a required and necessary step for any credible effort to secure the release of the hostages."

The Uribe administration is trying to strike a deal with FARC, which has offered to release 45 high-profile hostages, including French-Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt and three Americans captured in 2003 during a US-backed anti-drug operation, in exchange for 500 jailed rebels

-snip-

[Candor7]

This is extremely good news for the hostages and their families. The hostages have been held in Colombia by FARC communist guerrillas since 2002: Keith Stansell, Thomas Howes and Marc Gonsalves,who work for a subsidiary of Grumman Corp, for a federal agency.

I have a feeling that Duncan Hunter may have been moving behind the scenes on this. If so , THANKS DUNCAN!

We are all hoping this will be successful.

For an accurate breifing and discussion by Freepers on this situation, see the following September thread:

U.S. Captives: Don't Try A Rescue(Duncan Hunter, Please!HELP RESCUE RANDY HOWES in COLOMBIA)

CBS News ^ | Oct. 6, 2003 | CBS Staff

Posted on 09/07/2007 10:42:55 AM EDT by Candor7

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1892577/posts

[billorites]

Can I be of any assistance?

[Tainan]

no place to post that charlatans picture.

C7....keep notice of progress.

[freekitty]

Thanks for the info. The others preening; Duncan Hunter doing.